African violet plant named Virgo

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of African violet named Virgo characterized by its single, very light pink flowers with wavy edges and darker pink center; strong, upright flower stems that curve toward the center to form a compact bouquet above the leaves; medium green, strongly serrated girl-type leaves; profuse flowering, vigorous growth habit, flowering 10-11 weeks after potting, and its long-lasting and non-dropping flowers.

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of Africanviolet plant, botanically known as Saintpaulia ionantha, and hereinafterreferred to by the cultivar name Virgo.

The new cultivar was referred to during the breeding and selectionprocess by the designation G 24/1, and is a product of a plannedbreeding program. The new cultivar was originated from a cross made byme in the controlled breeding program in Isselburg, Federal Republic ofGermany. The female, or seed parent was a cultivar designated 67. Themale, or pollen parent was a cultivar designated 47.

Virgo was discovered and selected by me as a flowering plant within theprogeny of the stated cross in a controlled environment in Haffen, WestGermany. Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar by leaf cuttings, asperformed by me at Haffen, West Germany, has demonstrated that thecombination of characteristics as herein disclosed for the new cultivarare firmly fixed and retained through successive generations of asexualreproduction.

Virgo has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions.The phenotype may vary significantly with variations in environment suchas temperature, light intensity and day length. The followingobservations, measurements and values describe the new cultivar as grownin Haffen, West Germany and Nashville, Tenn. under greenhouse conditionswhich closely approximate those generally used in commercial practice.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe basic characteristics of Virgo, which in combination distinguish thisAfrican violet as a new and distinct cultivar:

(1) Strong, upright flower stems curving slightly toward the center.

(2) Very light pink, single flowers with wavy edges.

(3) Profuse flowering.

(4) Each plant carries 7-8 and more upright flower stems each of whichcarries 7-9 flowers.

(5) Long lasting, non-dropping flowers.

(6) Vigorous grower.

(7) Plant saleable 10 to 11 weeks after potting.

(8) Seed capsules push slightly through.

(9) Medium green girl-type leaf, wavy, strongly serrated with a brightlight green center.

(10) After maturity the flowers dry off, and remain on the pedunclewithout becoming infected by botrytis.

The accompanying color photographic drawing shows a typical specimenplant of the new cultivar. The colors appearing in the photograph are astrue as possible with color illustrations of this type.

In the following description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart (R.H.S.), except where general colorsof ordinary significance are referred to. Color values were taken undernatural sunlight conditions at approximately 2 p.m. in Nashville, Tenn.

Botanical classification: Saintpaulia ionantha, Ramat, c.v. Virgo.

Parentage:

Male parent.--47.

Female parent.--67.

Propagation: The new cultivar holds its distinguishing characteristicsthrough successive propagations by leaf cuttings.

Plant: From 9 cm to 11 cm tall when grown in pots, and approximately18-21 cm in diameter when fully grown.

Leaves.--General form: Oval, girl-type. Diameter: 60-75 mm. Texture:Velvety. Aspect: Shiny, wavy, very serrated, slightly hairy, brightlight green center. Veins: Upperside: well visible, light greenradiating from the center; Underside: very well pronounced, light green,shiny, on young leaves slightly purplish. Color (upperside):Yellow-Green Group 147 A. Color (underside): Greyed-Green Group 193 A.Petiole: Strong upright, light green with purplish touch, hairy.

Flowers.--Buds: Ball-shaped, 8-9 mm just before opening, light pink.Sepals: Five (5). Color: Purplish brown. Calyx: Shape: Funnel-shaped.Aspect: Spear-shaped, hairy. Peduncle: Character: Strong upright, hairy.Color: Purplish brown. Individual flowers: Size: 35-40 mm. Shape: Singleviolet-shaped (3 large and 2 small petals), with wavy edges. Color(upperside): Red-Purple Group 62 between C and D. The color may varywith seasonal changes. Under cooler temperatures and more intensivelighting, the pink tends to intensify. Color (underside): Red Group 56B. Borne: Each flower stem carries 7-9 flowers on strong uprightpeduncle that are free standing above the leaves, thereby forming acompact bouquet. Flowering habit: Flowers 10-11 weeks after potting.

Reproductive organs.--Stamens: Two (2). Anthers: 2 composed of 4 anthercells, seed capsule pushes slightly through. Filaments: Yellowish greenwith pink traces, 4 mm long. Pollen Color: Yellow Group 7. Styles: 7 mmlong, pink, base of ovary light green and hairy.

Roots.--Normally developed, white when young, turning slightly brownishwhen older.

Disease resistance: Good.

General observations: Virgo has a very attractive appearance due to itsmedium green, strongly serrated girl-type leaves with a light greencenter. A tight bouquet of flowers free standing above the leavesdevelops after approximately 10-11 weeks. Each of the 7-8 and moreflowers stems carries 7-9 very light pink, single, violet-shaped flowerswith wavy edges. The pink color in the center of the flower is darkerand radiates somewhat into the two smaller petals. Occasionally, 1-2additional small petals may develop. The flowers are long-lasting andnon-dropping.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of African violet named Virgo,as described and illustrated, and particularly characterized by itssingle, very light pink flowers with wavy edges and darker pink center;strong, upright flower stems that curve toward the center to form acompact bouquet above the leaves; medium green, strongly serratedgirl-type leaves; profuse flowering, vigorous growth habit, flowering10-11 weeks after potting, and its long lasting and non-droppingflowers.